Mr. Specter (for himself
and Mr. Casey) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

March 31 (legislative
day, March 13), 2008

Committee discharged; considered and agreed
to

RESOLUTION

Designating March 25, 2008, as
National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day.

Whereas cerebral palsy is any number of neurological
disorders that appear in infancy or early childhood and permanently affect body
movement and the muscle coordination necessary to maintain balance and
posture;

Whereas cerebral palsy is caused by damage to 1 or more
specific areas of the brain, usually occurring during fetal development,
before, during, or shortly after birth, or during infancy;

Whereas the majority of children are born with cerebral
palsy, although it may not be detected until months or years later;

Whereas 75 percent of individuals with cerebral palsy also
have 1 or more additional developmental disabilities including epilepsy,
intellectual disability, autism and visual impairments, or blindness;

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recently released information indicating an increase in the prevalence of
cerebral palsy and that the rate is now about 1 in 278 children;

Whereas 800,000 Americans are affected by cerebral
palsy;

Whereas, while there is no current cure for cerebral
palsy, some treatment will often improve a child’s capabilities and scientists
and researchers are hopeful that breakthroughs will be forthcoming;

Whereas researchers across the Nation are conducting
important research projects involving cerebral palsy; and

Whereas the Senate is an institution that can raise
awareness in the general public and the medical community of cerebral palsy:
Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate—

(1)

designates March
25, 2008, as National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day;

(2)

recognizes that
all people of the United States should become more informed and aware of
cerebral palsy; and

(3)

respectfully
requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to
Reaching for the Stars: A Foundation of Hope for Children with Cerebral
Palsy.